
📸 Roxane Montaron / Les Canaux
Co-founded by childhood friends Marius Hamelot (architect) and Jim Pasquet (entrepreneur), Paris-based Le Pavé is revolutionising the construction and furniture sectors by transforming plastic waste into 100% recycled and recyclable material. Their innovative approach has won them projects such as the Arena and the Olympic Aquatic Centre, where they will produce 11,000 seats.
Excerpts from an interview with Ville de Paris:
Could you explain the inspiration behind the creation of Le Pavé? Was it a realisation of the environmental backwardness of the construction industry that led to the creation of your company?
Marius Hamelot: The creation of Le Pavé stems from a recognition of the inconsistencies in architectural processes and materials used globally. During my architectural studies, I observed a uniformity in materials and manufacturing methods across different locations, regardless of the unique resources, cultures and environmental concerns present in each region. This led me to consider how architecture could reconnect with local environments, resources and cultures to create a more sustainable and meaningful built environment.
You focus on the recycling of complex plastics. Could you explain the challenges of dealing with these materials?
Marius Hamelot: Absolutely. Once our commitment to creating sustainable materials was established, we quickly linked this objective to the global problem of plastic waste. Working with recyclers and local authorities, we developed collection chains that valorise different types of plastic, from polystyrene in refrigerators to shampoo bottles. Our significant impact on waste valorisation comes from financially supporting collection and sorting processes, giving recycling a purpose and maximising the chances of plastic waste being recycled.

📸Roxane Montaron / Les Canaux
Regarding the sourcing of plastic, could you shed some light on where the plastic comes from?
Marius Hamelot: The plastic transformed by Le Pavé is exclusively French, a change from our initial collaboration with a Senegalese association that collects plastic on the streets. While we were initially attracted by the dual social-environmental project in Senegal, we later realised that there was a significant need for plastic waste valorisation in France. As a result, we have re-qualified our sourcing to be 100% French. For example, for the Arena project, 80 tons of the recycled plastic came from the Seine-Saint-Denis département, in collaboration with PAPREC and SICTOM, demonstrating the circular and virtuous potential of large-scale projects.
Could you explain Le Pavé’s role in the recycling process, from collection to the final product?
Marius Hamelot: Le Pavé is not a recycler, but a transformer of secondary materials derived from waste into panels for construction. We do not collect or sort waste, but develop specifications in collaboration with the ecosystem. Our partner recyclers then pre-process the waste according to our specifications. The end result is a product that is both 100% recycled and 100% recyclable, underlining our commitment to anticipating the end of life of our products.
What are the main characteristics of “Soft Surface”, the material produced by Le Pavé?
Marius Hamelot: Soft Surface is a versatile material that can be worked with tools used for wood and moulded like plastic. It has a wide range of applications, from knife handles to recycled plastic parquet flooring, shower panels, reception counters, work surfaces, seating and chair backs. The versatility of the material, both mechanically and in terms of surface performance, makes it ideal for various applications.

Le Pavé has attracted attention for its involvement in the creation of 11,000 seats for the arena and aquatic centre. How did you get involved in this project?
Marius Hamelot: In our first year, just after graduation, ESS 2024 contacted us to put us in touch with ELAN and Bouygues. They asked if our small handmade panels could be used for the seating of the future Olympic swimming pool. This was the start of a four-year journey involving extensive prototyping to turn the idea into a product. We worked with Master Industrie, a French company specialising in sports equipment and stands, to develop the seating solution.
How much plastic was used for the 11,000 seats and what is your annual plastic processing capacity?
Marius Hamelot: More than 100 tonnes of plastic were recycled for the seats. Until the end of 2023, our processing capacity was 300 tonnes per year. However, with the recent opening of our plant in Burgundy, our capacity has increased to 1,300-1,400 tonnes per year.
As well as showcasing your expertise, do you see the arena seats as a way of raising public awareness of recycling and demonstrating the potential of large-scale recycling projects?
Marius Hamelot: Absolutely, this project required a significant investment of energy to meet the 2024 deadline. We wanted not only to demonstrate the circular economy on a territorial scale, but also to inspire people. The arena seats were an opportunity to involve the population of Île-de-France through a participatory collection, where the colour of the Olympic pool seats was determined by the bottle caps collected. Beyond the operational aspect, this project was an opportunity to convey a message to the public.
What was the role of Les Canaux?
Marius Hamelot: Les Canaux played a crucial role by endorsing us as an eco-designed material solution within the ESS 2024 framework. This endorsement facilitated our introduction to Bouygues and ELAN, Bouygues’ environmental impact consultancy. It was a connection that shaped the project and we are grateful for the opportunity. Seeing the 8,000 seats in the arena recently was quite an emotional experience. It made me realise how concrete the project has become.
- Numeris Média is officially accredited media to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games